Beaches of Fuerteventura: the guide to choosing yours
With nearly 150 km of coastline, the beaches of Fuerteventura are among the most varied and beautiful in the Canaries: white sand and golden dunes in the north, turquoise lagoons in the south, wild wind-battered coves in the west. This wealth is echoed in our broader guide to Fuerteventura. No two are alike and everyone will find in this guide the beach that suits them best. It helps you choose the beach best suited to your stay, whether you travel as a family, among sports lovers or in search of wide open spaces.
The essentials at a glance
- Family / calm swimming: El Cotillo (La Concha), Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable.
- Watersports: Sotavento (kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing foil), Cofete (surfing, swimming not advised).
- Wide open wilderness: Cofete, Corralejo dunes.
- Naturism: south of the Corralejo dunes, Aljibe de la Cueva near El Cotillo.
Which beach to choose?
Choosing the right beach in Fuerteventura depends above all on what you're after: calm swimming, watersports or spectacular scenery.
The northern beaches: Corralejo and its dunes
In the north of the island, the Corralejo dunes take on the look of a golden desert within the Corralejo Natural Park: around 8 km of white sand fringed by dunes 2.5 km wide, between the town of Corralejo and the airport. The water is turquoise and the setting spectacular, especially at sunset.
Part of the coast, south of the dunes, is used by naturists, in relative discretion. Families generally prefer the more sheltered coves, closer to Corralejo town centre.
El Cotillo: lagoons and natural pools
In the west, the village of El Cotillo is home to one of the island's safest beaches for family swimming: La Concha, a crescent of fine sand protected by a natural reef that breaks the Atlantic swell. The waters are calm, almost natural pools, ideal with young children.
The south of the village, on the other hand, has more open beaches where the red flag is frequent: better to check locally before swimming.
Sotavento and [[Costa Calma|/en/fuerteventura/plages/costa-calma]]: the sporty, family-friendly south
The south of Fuerteventura combines sport and relaxation. The Sotavento lagoon, around Playa de la Barca, is one of the world's best spots for kitesurfing and windsurfing: steady wind, shallow water, an ideal setting both to start out and to improve.
A little further north, Costa Calma offers a 2 km town beach, with blond sand and shallow water: the dream spot for a relaxing family day, with no drop-off or rocks.
Cofete: the wild beach of the south
Behind the JandÃa massif, Cofete beach is the most spectacular and wildest on the island: several kilometres of empty sand, backed by steep mountains, without a single building in sight.
It's also the most dangerous: swimming is generally not advised, except perhaps for experienced surfers, and the beach is unpatrolled. Checking the flag and the currents before swimming remains the best habit.
Access is only via a long, isolated unpaved track: a 4x4 is strongly recommended, as detailed in our car hire guide.
Safety: flags, currents and swimming
On equipped beaches, a flag system signals the state of the sea: green for swimming with no particular risk, yellow for caution, red for swimming not advised or forbidden. Checking the flag and the currents before swimming remains the best habit, including on Fuerteventura's wild beaches, like Cofete, which are simply unpatrolled.
Naturism in Fuerteventura: where and how
Naturism is tolerated in certain specific areas of the island, without being general to all beaches. The two best-known spots are the south of the Corralejo dunes, away from the busiest areas, and Aljibe de la Cueva, a cove near El Cotillo.
As everywhere in Spain, discretion and respect for other users remain expected, including in tolerated areas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful beach in Fuerteventura?
It depends on your profile: Cofete for wild scenery, Sotavento for kitesurfing, El Cotillo for family swimming. Corralejo remains the best known for its dunes.
Which beach is the safest for family swimming?
The natural pools of La Concha (El Cotillo), Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable, Giniginamar and Gran Tarajal are reputed among the safest for swimming.
Can you swim at Cofete?
It's not recommended: the beach is unpatrolled and the currents are strong. It's mainly enjoyed for its scenery and by experienced surfers.
Where to kitesurf in Fuerteventura?
The Sotavento lagoon (Playa de la Barca) is one of the world's best spots, with steady wind and shallow water suited to learning.
Where to find naturist beaches in Fuerteventura?
Notably south of the Corralejo dunes and at Aljibe de la Cueva, near El Cotillo. Discretion and respect for other users remain expected.
How do you know if a beach is patrolled?
A flag system (green, yellow, red) signals the state of the sea on equipped beaches. Many wild beaches, like Cofete, are not patrolled at all.